UNHR Chief Expresses Concern on HR NGOs Working Conditions in India

NEW YORK: United Nations (UN) Human Rights watchdog expressed serious concerns on ‘strangling’ working conditions for Human Rights Non-Government Organizations (NGOs) in India.

UN Human Rights Chief Michelle Bachelet on Tuesday said that enforcement of vague and ambiguous laws in the country constrained activities of the NGOs and restrict foreign funding required for them to work.

Bachelet termed the use of the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) as worrisome.

She asked the Indian government to protect the rights of human rights activists and NGOs, as well as their ability to carry on with their work on behalf of the groups they represent.

“India has long had a strong civil society, which has been at the forefront of groundbreaking human rights advocacy within the country and globally,” she said.

However, the official added that the body was concerned that vaguely defined laws were now being used widely to mute those voices.

The official said that the FCRA, being overbroad in its scope, had remained a concerning point for several UN human rights bodies.

The act prohibits the receipt of foreign funds for any activities unfavorable to the public interest.

Bachelet said, ” The act, which was adopted in 2010 and amended last month, has had a detrimental impact on the right to freedom of association and expression of human rights NGOs, and as a result on their ability to serve as effective advocates to protect and promote human rights in India.”